Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)
Bellevue, Washington · on Lake Washington
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- June
About Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)
Meydenbauer Bay Park is a City of Bellevue waterfront park on Lake Washington's Meydenbauer Bay, featuring a roped-off swimming area with a swim platform and sandy beach alongside a landmark 400-foot curved pedestrian pier. This swimming hole is fully official, a designated, lifeguarded public swim beach rather than an informal or hidden spot, which makes it one of the simplest places to swim on this stretch of Lake Washington.
The 10-acre park sits on Meydenbauer Bay, an inlet of Lake Washington in downtown Bellevue, and includes a viewing terrace, hillside woodland, a daylighted stream channel and ravine, an outdoor classroom, and a historic whaling building alongside the modern beach and pier facilities. It is within walking distance of Bellevue's Main Street shopping district and Bellevue Square mall.
Swimming at Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)
Swimming happens in a roped-off, designated area of Meydenbauer Bay with a sandy beach and an anchored swim platform. Lifeguards are on duty daily from noon to 7 p.m. from late June through Labor Day (city page cites June 27-Sept 7). The setting suits families and casual swimmers rather than open-water or fitness swimmers, given the shallow, enclosed bay and lifeguard supervision.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 9899 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, directly off Lake Washington Boulevard near downtown Bellevue.
Parking: A 99th Avenue parking lot sits near the marina entrance offering the closest beach access; two additional upper parking lots exist but one is described as notably steep, making stroller access difficult. Parking was reported as challenging, especially on opening/busy days.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city park; the beach and swim platform are a short walk (under 5 minutes) from any of the three on-site parking lots, down to the shoreline path along the pier.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The swim area is a roped-off, shallow enclosure with a sandy beach and anchored swim platform, well suited to kids. However, lifeguards are only on duty seasonally (noon-7pm, late June through Labor Day per Bellevue Parks); outside that window or those hours it's unsupervised open bay water, so 'with care' rather than an unqualified yes.
Parking
Lot
Three lots serve the park: a lower lot near the marina/99th Ave SE with the closest beach access (fills quickly on busy days), and two upper lots, one of which is notably steep and hard for strollers. On the park's 2022 opening weekend, shuttle buses ran from Bellevue High School due to overflow demand. No source mentions a parking fee.
Restrooms
Yes
Beach house tucked under the pier has restrooms, showers, a changing area, and two separate family restrooms; described by a first-hand ParentMap account as nicer than typical park facilities.
Hours
6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily (park); swim area lifeguarded noon-7 p.m. daily, late June through Labor Day (city cites June 27-Sept 7)
On the water
Restrictions: City describes the site as a non-motorized, hand-carry watercraft launch only; the pier has a built-in hand-carry boat launch. No mention of motorboats or jet skis being permitted from this launch. Visitor moorage at the adjacent marina accommodates up to 14 boats.
Calm, protected bay water on Lake Washington makes it popular for beginner paddling and lessons.
Rentals nearby
Single kayak, double kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and canoe rentals; also guided classes with certified instructors and group events
Prices: Single kayak from $29/first hour; double kayak from $39/first hour; SUP from $29/first hour; canoe from $49/first hour
On-site at Meydenbauer Bay Park, 2 99th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA (their flagship boathouse); limited on-site parking plus nearby street parking · Tue-Fri 3pm-8:30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-8:30pm
Backstory
The park includes a preserved historic whaling building on site, referenced on the official city park page, though further historical detail was not found in sourced material.
Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf): FAQ
Is Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf) kid friendly?
The swim area is a roped-off, shallow enclosure with a sandy beach and anchored swim platform, well suited to kids. However, lifeguards are only on duty seasonally (noon-7pm, late June through Labor Day per Bellevue Parks); outside that window or those hours it's unsupervised open bay water, so 'with care' rather than an unqualified yes.
Do I need to hike to reach Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)?
Three lots serve the park: a lower lot near the marina/99th Ave SE with the closest beach access (fills quickly on busy days), and two upper lots, one of which is notably steep and hard for strollers. On the park's 2022 opening weekend, shuttle buses ran from Bellevue High School due to overflow demand. No source mentions a parking fee.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)?
Calm, protected bay water on Lake Washington makes it popular for beginner paddling and lessons.
When is the best time to visit Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)?
Late June through Labor Day, when lifeguards are on duty and the swim area is actively monitored for water quality.
What are the rules at Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf)?
Park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The city posts swim area closure notices due to lifeguard staffing shortages or high bacteria levels in the water, based on weekly water-quality sampling (mid-May through Sept 21) run in coordination with King County's monitoring program.
What water body is Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf) on?
Meydenbauer Bay Pier & Park (Rondeau Wharf) is on Lake Washington, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
